The last Folksmother

[Kraftr]

well that is great to hear, congratulations on the newborn!
I'm really obsessed now so it is fun no matter if my art is used, and if designing/illustration would be off the table I would maybe try to be more leisurely about it, or make something more 'incorrect' from lore, but I wouldn't stop.

If it should go on a shield we are in heraldic territory, I've done something similar for armybatallions in the past. a lot is copy/paste style because the people normally doing them can't draw, and they stick to old and bad designs. Ive done quick sketches of possible layouts, Standing lions could be holding the wheel, or rampant lions could crawl up the sides outward. maybe the wheel and fire can mix.
It is hard to give a seated simplyfied woman a gorgeous body or face. I could of course make a more integrated design as I've done in schets 5 and 6. And I like sitting/laying lions so making a single picture with all in it is maybe the way to go.

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[Kraftr]

maybe its better to ask what to change about this

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[ott]

This is great.
And if you have ways to further improve it or add varieties, please go ahead.

[Kraftr]

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[ott]

Ik loof het!

[Nordic]

Majestetic and mature - yet neat. Well done!

[Kraftr]

a round war shield seems unpractical and it would be more of a heraldic shield like on the example book, could have been on a banner, tapestry or relief in the borg. Cybele has a staff too, not a scepter but I made it longer, to look discernable from the Yul, that I decorated with, from the middle; 'the root', belbeaker waterpot, star, firepot and 'current' decorative border. The book is appropriate I'd think, isn't it likely all mothers would have had books. of leather, parchment, metal, wood or cloth if they had writing?
Below, double exposure of different options, still unfinished. I removed the borg on her head, even though I believe Cybele was a borgmother, Sybyle cult (a branch of vestal(festa) virgins) named after her. The Phryian cap I forgot.

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[ott]

I liked the simple, smaller wheel better in this composition. The more detailed one is creative but should stand by itself, I think.

The Phrygian cap, although depicted on women in some historical drawings, would not fit with the robe, imo. I'd think it's more a thing for men at sea.

The hand on the book looks anatomically off. I had no problem with the tambourine, but if it is replaced by a book, it could be in the same position, resting on the chair.

Lions sitting or lying down would not make much difference to me. It's the overall composition that would be decisive. The fire on the right is best of the three. This darker blue is indeed better.

In general, I think the more simple, the better. These elements are enough to associate with Frisia/Fryas: woman, 2 lions, wheel and flame/fire/lamp. No crowns or other adornments are needed.

[Kraftr]

I already made this, but it is easy to change elements now, like the hat. As far as I understand it may be Mithraic, but I saw somebody say it has possible Gothic origin. It is of course well known as freedom symbol, so I think it is nice too as symbolic idiom. I can also make her have no hat, as in the double-exposure version.
I wish I had an Idea how a lamp would look, maybe the fire should have no container. On the book I made an '^', thinking of it as a symbol of language, law, or Adela. I like that it looks like the famous Lambda of the Spartans, but I can remove it.
So you like this Yul or the one that looks like the forum logo?

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[Helgiteut]

Awesome work, Kraftr. Your practice has truly paid off. Both are great, the one of Kelta is wonderfull and true to the writings of the war of the burgmaids. If I would have any input on the cover design, I might suggest you experiment with a linden leaf instead of a staff in the lady's right hand, though I know Ott would like the cover to be simple. And the plain Yule seems better for this concept I would say, like the forum picture.